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Going Dutch, Part 3: The Models Of Holland

Here’s how I thought day three of my stay in Amsterdam would go: Meet up with a model agent, go someplace where all the beautiful girls hang out, approach some of those girls, and ask them if they want to be models. After witnessing the recent rise of the Dutch model on the catwalk and in print, I wanted to see just how and where these lovely creatures are discovered. So much for that! “If you approach a girl in Amsterdam these days,” says Sarah Keller, who founded the Paparazzi model agency here in 1996, “she’ll tell you, ‘I was already scouted two times today!’ ” Keller gets about 150 E-mails and calls per week from model hopefuls. Since the girls search out Keller, instead of the other way around, I decide to just visit Keller at her offices to learn about the Dutch phenomenon. In recent seasons, fashion has come to love girls like Doutzen Kroes, Lara Stone, and Kim Noorda, who all hail from the Netherlands. Here are the new faces to learn: Nimue Smit, Anna de Rijk, Mirte Maas, and Patricia van der Vliet. (Fun fact: Patricia competed on the TV show Holland’s Next Top Model; she didn’t win, but whoever cast her to open Vuitton and close Balenciaga this season clearly didn’t care). And remember Rianne Ten Haken, who came on the scene in the early oughts? Spotted at Proenza’s and Narciso’s spring shows. So what makes Holland’s beauties rise to the top? “Their skin is always dewy,” says Keller. “Maybe because of all the outdoor living people do here. And apart from the obvious—their looks—the girls are very well-rounded. You have to finish school here, and you learn English, plus maybe a little German and French.” Personality is more and more important these days as the competition is fiercer than ever. “If you’re a photographer,” asks Keller, “would you rather be shooting all day with an enthusiastic, sophisticated Dutch girl, or a fifteen-year-old right off the plane who doesn’t say much?” Right. You don’t get to be a Victoria’s Secret angel, like Doutzen, if you can’t convincingly talk about why you love the brand.